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2019 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

227 reports with mileage · 358 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 307 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 125 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports3 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine complaints

307 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2022
EnginePower Train

Whitish and/or whitish-blue smoke comes out of tailpipes when starting vehicle . Believe there is faulty head gasket or engine block that causes oil to be mixed with antifreeze resulting in permanent damage to engine over time which could lead to possible fires, breakdowns, and or fumes. Tried to get it looked at to confirm that…

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Whitish and/or whitish-blue smoke comes out of tailpipes when starting vehicle . Believe there is faulty head gasket or engine block that causes oil to be mixed with antifreeze resulting in permanent damage to engine over time which could lead to possible fires, breakdowns, and or fumes. Tried to get it looked at to confirm that the 1.5l engines from the 2019 Ford Escapes are an issue like past models but dealership tried to side step me and not properly look over vehicle in my opinion.

NHTSA ODI #11482518

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I was driving my car and then all of a sudden it's starts to jerk and make this clanking sound and stops in the middle of traffic...a indicator check engine light pops in and the service transmission soon..thank God there was no accident due to quick thinking. I try to restart the car and take to the dealer where I bought it and…

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I was driving my car and then all of a sudden it's starts to jerk and make this clanking sound and stops in the middle of traffic...a indicator check engine light pops in and the service transmission soon..thank God there was no accident due to quick thinking. I try to restart the car and take to the dealer where I bought it and was told they could do nothing and they were backed for 3 months and they just cleared out the message. I start driving it again because I don't have a car and I have to get back and forth to work. Maybe 2 days later it's does the same thing and the car shut down and wouldn't change any gears. I had to get towed which cost money out of my pocket. The car would not move. I only had this car 2 months and I feel as if this was known before the car was sold. Know I have no car and being expected of paying a car note. I contacted Ford and they have nothing to say about it. This is unjust and creeping it's way into a civil lawsuit due to the many complaints. I just want my car fixed as it should because who pays for a car they can't drive.

NHTSA ODI #11475659

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
Engine

Loosing antifreeze found no external leaks

NHTSA ODI #11473792

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2022
Engine

On March 29, 2022 my 2019 Ford Escape suddenly started shaking with no lights coming on to tell me there was an issue. When taken to the shop and after one week was towed to ford due to not being about to fix this problem. Once it arrived at ford the issue was found to be a leaking coolant which ruined the engine. This is a know…

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On March 29, 2022 my 2019 Ford Escape suddenly started shaking with no lights coming on to tell me there was an issue. When taken to the shop and after one week was towed to ford due to not being about to fix this problem. Once it arrived at ford the issue was found to be a leaking coolant which ruined the engine. This is a known ford problem. They will not fix the vehicle and for over a month we have been fighting with ford they have made no progress. This is known to cause engine failure, or verb eating engines, and even engine fires.

NHTSA ODI #11463646

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2022
Engine

At 61,000 miles (1,000 miles outside Ford Factory warranty) my vehicle 2019 Ford Escape has a blown head gasket. The Check engine illuminated with a code of an engine misfire. Upon taking it to a ford dealership it was confirmed to have a blown head gasket.

NHTSA ODI #11461491

83,000 miles · Mar 14, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The co…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the check engine warning light turned off but then illuminated again. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the spark plugs and ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer; Garber Ford (3380 US-17, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043: (904) 264-2442) where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with Ford service bulletin # 21-2269, however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Consumer contacted Ford Customer Care and was told they could not help or reimburse for any costs. The warranty is only good for 60,000 miles. Ford knows it is a defective engine. Consumer has 83,000 with no recall on the VIN number.

NHTSA ODI #11456595

75,000 miles · Feb 23, 2022
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate over 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who replaced the spark plugs and indicated that coolant was present inside the combustion chamber of the eng…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate over 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who replaced the spark plugs and indicated that coolant was present inside the combustion chamber of the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to exhibit failure. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. An appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle serviced by the dealer. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #11453678

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System

My vehicle is 2 yrs old and began having purge valve issues. Upon trying to fix the problem, I found that the part is on back order with no parts available anywhere in my region. Also while trying to locate the purge valve, part number: Gv6z9d289e, I found that several other people were also trying to locate the part indicating …

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My vehicle is 2 yrs old and began having purge valve issues. Upon trying to fix the problem, I found that the part is on back order with no parts available anywhere in my region. Also while trying to locate the purge valve, part number: Gv6z9d289e, I found that several other people were also trying to locate the part indicating this is an issue in several vehicles. The vehicle vapor locks upon fueling possibly resulting in future engine damage.

NHTSA ODI #11451541

46,000 miles · Jan 26, 2022
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact drove to the gas station and while refueling, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. After restarting and driving the vehicle back to th…

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The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact drove to the gas station and while refueling, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. After restarting and driving the vehicle back to the residence, the fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle was extremely strong, causing the contact to have a headache. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected and diagnosed the failure as the emission evap valve was not properly separating the fuel inside the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired because the local dealer did not have the parts needed to perform the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #11448975

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2021
Engine

Bought new March 2019; May 2020, with 32,000 miles, had a coolant leak and had to replace engine; about 6 weeks later needed anew flywheel and about 2 months after that needed some of the oxygen sensors replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11440977

Official recalls

3

26V011000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

Jan 15, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.

22V413000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod

Jun 10, 2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:shift Linkage/cable/rod

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

Consequence: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

21V155000 · Tires

Mar 10, 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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